TORONTO — In seven years Club Med’s Groups business has tripled out of the Canadian market.

Not only that, the Club Med team dedicated to Group sales has also doubled in the past few years.

Last night’s Meetings & Events by Club Med reception, presented with partner Air Transat in Toronto, was hosted by one of those new additions to the Club Med Groups team, Lori de Montmorency.

For several months now Montmorency has served as Club Med’s MICE BDM based in Toronto, dedicated to Club Med’s MICE sales for English Canada.

And in 2016 the department launched a new brand identity, to better translate how Club Med can offer different types of group experiences. More details are at en.meetings-events-clubmed.ca/.

Already the all-inclusive pioneer, Club Med has gone all-in on Groups business too. Why? “The MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) market is very important for Club Med as we are able to offer experiences for corporate clients that want to bring their team at destination,” says Melanie St-Germain, Groups Sales Manager for Meetings & Events by Club Med.

She added: “Companies value more and more their colleagues working with them. Companies are looking to share a message through corporative events (eg. trainings, meetings), reinforce ties through team buildings activities (creative, social, active) and bring together their teams through pleasant moments including entertainment and dinners.

“In one location, Club Med can provide all those aspects thanks to our MICE and leisure offer at destination.”

Agents can position Club Med’s product “as a great asset for the company to create immediate return on investment, in regards to employee loyalty,” she adds.

The MICE market is a big piece of Groups business but it’s not the only piece and St-Germain wants agents to know that plenty of Groups opportunities exist beyond MICE. “Welcoming groups at Club Med is very diversified and not only for MICE groups,” says St-Germain. Examples include training & educational programs, product launches, sports programs (eg. ski, golf, scuba diving, tennis, etc.) and, of course, family reunions and destinations weddings.

Club Med resorts have Groups coordinators on site and together with the property’s G.O.s, “we are able to offer tailored experiences to different types of groups and provide specific atmospheres in different parts of the resort.”

Club Med’s dedicated Groups team in Canada can organize and coordinate the program for the client, from activities to booking and setting up meetings rooms, to dining logistics, private dining and excursions, plus flights, she adds.